Chile was the eighth country in the world to receive the Sons of Don Bosco, and the fourth in America, after Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
Although the founders of the first Salesian work in the country were those who arrived in 1887, it should also be mentioned that in fact the first Salesian to set foot in Chile was the Italian priest Fr Domenico Milanesio in 1886.
At present the Salesians in Chile are present with the Province of St Gabriel the Archangel. They have 22 schools in 15 cities, from Iquique to Punta Arenas; 19 parishes and shrines, the Catholic University of Silva Henríquez, two foundations for children and youth at risk, four enterprises linked to the sector of communications and two museums that promote the culture and history of the Congregation.
Because of the anniversary in Concepción, a series of activities has been planned to coincide with the start of the school year. Fr Alberto Lorenzelli, Provincial of the Salesians in Chile, will preside over a celebration and then, with his Council, he will go to the Town Hall in Concepcion to greet the Mayor.
The ceremony continues with the laying of a wreath under the monument in Piazza San Giovanni Bosco and the inauguration of a museum at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart.
At the end of the day there will be a Mass presided over by Fr Lorenzelli and open to authorities, the Salesian Family and the various school groups, to commence the commemorative activities of the 130 years of Salesian presence in Chile.
Source: Bollettino Salesiano del Cile
